Serene कोलाहलशोधकम् by Kyudo Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारः in प्रकाश उत्पाद एवं दीपाधार अभिकल्पना Competition Category.

कांस्यम्प्रकाशनम्· 2026

Serene कोलाहलशोधकम्

by Kyudo Lee

Client: Kyudo Lee

A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारः Winner in प्रकाशनम् Category

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The Design

About Serene कोलाहलशोधकम्

प्रशान्तकोलाहलशोधकम् एकं सक्रियं ध्वानिकं कक्षविभाजकं वर्तते यत् नागरिकध्वनिप्रदूषणं त्रिंशत्पर्यन्तं डेसिबेल्मात्रया न्यूनीकरोति। एतत् MIT इत्यत्र विकसितां पीज़ोइलेक्ट्रिकपातलचलच्चित्रवक्तृप्रौद्योगिकीम् उपयुङ्क्ते, या नम्ये पुनर्चक्रिते PET-वस्त्रझिल्ल्यां समाविष्टा। विपरीतध्वनिप्रसारकरूपेण कार्यं कुर्वत् इदं तनावजनकानां आवृत्तीनां सक्रियं निष्प्रभीकरणं करोति। अस्य रचनायां दृढं संगमरमराधारः काष्ठस्तम्भश्च विद्येते, यौ पारम्परिककोरियावास्तुकलया प्रेरितौ, अल्पतमवादिसौन्दर्यं प्रददाते। इदं नवीनोपकरणं ध्वानिकसुखं परिवेशकल्याणस्य प्राथमिकतत्त्वरूपेण परिवर्तयति।

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारः

Serene कोलाहलशोधकम् A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारस्य विजेता अस्ति; अयम् उच्चप्रतिष्ठितः सम्मानः सृजनशीलतया उद्भावनकौशलेन तीक्ष्णप्रज्ञया च विशिष्टेभ्य उत्कृष्टेभ्योऽभिकल्पेभ्यो दीयते। कांस्यविजेतारः प्रचुरकौशलयुक्ता उल्लेखनीयतया सृजनशीलाश्च शिल्पकृतयः सन्ति, याः स्वाभिकल्पकानां विपुलम् अनुभवं कल्पनाशक्तिं साधनसम्पन्नतां च प्रमाणयन्ति। Serene कोलाहलशोधकम् अत्यन्तं मूल्यवान् प्रशंसितः प्रियश्च पदार्थः, उल्लेखनीयतया व्यावसायिको नवोन्मेषयुक्तश्च भविष्यतीति प्रत्याशा क्रियते। A' Design Award कांस्यपुरस्कारं जितवद् एतद् अभिकल्पकार्यं कलाविज्ञानाभिकल्पप्रौद्योगिकीनां श्रेष्ठतमाः पद्धतीः समावेशयति सूक्ष्मांशेषु ध्यानाच्च उत्कृष्टम् अस्ति। Serene कोलाहलशोधकम् अस्माकम् आवश्यकताः सुन्दरं पूरयति, कामनाः स्पृशति, भावान् मोहयति, जिज्ञासां चाकर्षयति।

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: To support UN sustainable goals for health and cities, this project protects urbanites from severe noise. An acoustic noise purifier uses MIT's thin speaker technology to neutralize city sounds via a flexible, noise-canceling membrane. Integrated ambient lighting reduces eye strain, complementing this acoustic sanctuary. It transforms spaces into a personal silence retreat, a quiet, protected zone to rest and enjoy daily leisure free from stress.
Dimensions & Packaging: The device utilizes MIT’s ultra-thin flexible speaker technology. A piezoelectric thin film is sandwiched between acoustic fabrics made from recycled PET. Micro-microphones detect urban low-frequency noise, triggering the active film to emit anti-phase sound waves to neutralize it. This allows a complex active noise cancellation system to be manufactured as a lightweight, flexible, and sustainable home appliance.
Tags: active noise cancellation, acoustic appliance, noise purifier, urban wellness, paper-thin speaker, soundscape control, minimalist screen, silence retreat, health and well-being, sustainable interior
Production Technology: The device utilizes MIT’s ultra-thin flexible speaker technology. A piezoelectric thin film is sandwiched between premium acoustic fabrics from recycled PET. Micro-microphones detect urban low-frequency noise, triggering the active film to emit anti-phase sound waves to neutralize it. This allows a complex active noise cancellation system to be manufactured as a lightweight, flexible, and sustainable home appliance.
Design Challenge: The primary challenge involved translating MIT's lab-grade piezoelectric speaker technology into a consumer-ready home appliance. Integrating complex electronics into flexible recycled fabrics without compromising the 30dB active noise cancellation performance required precise engineering. Furthermore, shifting from traditional noise masking methods, such as white noise machines, to spatial noise purification required redefining how users approach acoustic privacy in dense urban spaces.
Research: The project applied research to mitigate urban noise linked to cardiovascular issues and hearing loss. The methodology included acoustic testing with sound meters and interviews with 20 apartment residents. Results indicated that traditional dividers are ineffective, and continuous white noise machines can exacerbate hearing strain. The key insight was applying MIT's thin speaker technology to a physical membrane, achieving a 30dB noise reduction. This approach impacts society by replacing auditory masking with active acoustic wellness in interior environments.
Inspiration: The inspiration stems from the limitation of traditional room dividers. While they provide visual privacy, they are ineffective against urban noise. The goal was to design an acoustic curtain. Inspired by how physical boundaries block wind, the project utilizes MIT's paper-thin speakers to materialize an invisible element, silence. It translates the intangible problem of acoustic stress into a tangible, elegant interior element, actively cultivating a boundary for personal wellness in dense, chaotic cities.
Project Duration: Developed over a 16-week research and prototyping period as a Master's thesis project. The process resulted in a physical prototype, which was officially exhibited at Milan Design Week in April 2023. This global showcase validated both its aesthetic design and technical feasibility to the public.
Operation Flow: A heavy marble base provides structural stability and features a toe-tap power indicator for intuitive, ergonomic activation. To eliminate bending, the top of the stand integrates dual sliders for noise cancellation intensity and ambient lighting, ideal for night reading or screen use. This thoughtful separation of controls—foot-tap for power, fingertip for precise environmental tuning—allows users to orchestrate a perfect audiovisual sanctuary effortlessly while standing.
Patents: This project is the original intellectual property of Kyudo Lee. All rights are reserved under international copyright law. The unique concept, technical integration, and industrial design are currently under review for potential patent protection.
Team Members: Kyudo Lee - Personal Project
Image Credits: All 3D renderings, product photography, and presentation media are produced by Kyudo Lee. Milan Design Week exhibition photography is credited to Kyudo Lee.